Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol [2011]

MI:IV the high-powered, action-saturated, mind-blowing, energy-sucking, gun-wielding force action film that will get you wanting to climb buildings, shoot bad guys & girls, and use sick awesome technology. Jump into this adrenaline pumping adventure and buckle up. From the first sequence to the credits, you will have to check your breathing because this movie will take it away.

I've loved all the mission impossible movies except #2. This film was no disappointment. We rejoin Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) pulled from retirement to infiltrate the Kremlin and steal some "super-secret" documents using some "I-want-to-get-my-hands-on" technology. One thing I've noticed in the "Impossible" series is the opening theft sequence in all of them has little to no bearing on the rest of the film. I always wondered why. Anyways...from there Ethan goes undercover and forms his own crew to once again get back at those cheeky blighters who stole what he was initially trying to steal. With the usual super-awesome fight scenes and sweet technology this is always a great guy film.

Tom Cruise (Ethan) puts on another spectacular performance in this film. You can tell he's getting up there in age because he's not as docile or fluid as he was in MI:I or MI:II. Getting up in age though seems to have it's advantages for him. He never looks bad on film. Also, as the leader, he can always hire more people to do his crazy stunts for him. Fortunately, for us, the audience, Ethan still does some of his impromptu sick-awesome stunts that leave us with our mouths open say, "woooow! I wish I could do that." Take it from me, Tom Cruise, unlike some of his other recent flicks, won't disappoint in this film.

Jeremy Renner (Will) most familiar to me and maybe to you by his role in The Town when he played across from Ben Affleck in a bank heist, family first, blood connection thriller. Will is an ex-CIA, who has a few surprises up his sleeve but still looks pale when placed next to the gigantic Ethan Hunt. Personally, Jeremy doesn't play a very realistic good guy, maybe because he's always been the bad guy. So, this film is no more than disappointing concerning his performance. I only wished they would have made him a mole or something to keep his evil persona alive.

Paula Patton (Jane) does an incredible job of bringing the feministic style to the heist. She personifies the alter-ego woman who has a fix for slaying and stealing. She performs well but struggles sometimes across from the all-star Ethan Hunt. You may be more familiar with her performance in Deja-vu. I would definitely recommend you watch her performance there first to get a taste of the real Paula before you try and sink your teeth into this anomaly in her acting career.

A few things to note:

1. Like all Mission Impossibles, this movie has its fair share of objectionable elements. You will encounter language, sex, violence, and sadistic themes in this film. However, all of them, with the exception of the violence, are very mitigated. 
2. You will be riveted to your seat with intense sequences of espionage, ninja-like precision, and amazing antics. Mission Impossible is no disappoint in the action or the adventure side.
3. The plot seems significantly more complex and less involved when it comes to the sweet action. More of the action seems needless in this particular episode of the Impossibles. Still does not beat out MI:III or MI:I as far as story and depth.

Overal, a very interesting film that will hold your attention. There are parts that you may get initially lost at but don't worry, it will come back around and grapple for your attention once again.

Because of some needless violence and seeming plot - violence disintegration, but for the incredible acting and intense jaw-dropping action, I am giving this film 3 out of 5 Ethan Hunts (because syringes are just too mainstream).

Thanks for reading.

~From the library of J.B. Wadsworth